Snowball Christmas ornaments are the rare holiday craft that looks fancy, costs very little, and does not require you to understand electricity, carpentry, or why the Christmas lights worked perfectly in the box but gave up on life once they touched the tree. These fluffy, sparkly, handmade Christmas ornaments can be made with foam balls, clear baubles, cotton balls, faux snow, Epsom salt, glitter, glue, ribbon, and a healthy willingness to get a little snowy indoors.
Whether you want elegant white ornaments for a winter wonderland tree, kid-friendly DIY snowball ornaments for a classroom party, rustic farmhouse ornaments for a cozy mantel, or personalized keepsakes for family gift tags, this guide walks you through several easy methods. The best part? Snowball ornaments are forgiving. A little uneven texture makes them look more realistic. A little extra glitter makes them look intentional. A lot of extra glitter means you now live in a festive snowstorm. Congratulations.
Why Snowball Christmas Ornaments Are So Popular
Snowball ornaments work because they instantly add texture, brightness, and softness to Christmas decor. Traditional glass ornaments reflect light, but snowball ornaments diffuse it, making a tree look fuller and more layered. They also fit almost any holiday style. On a green tree, they look crisp and classic. On a flocked tree, they blend into a snowy theme. On a neutral tree with burlap and wood beads, they add cozy farmhouse charm. On a glam tree with silver ribbon and crystal garland, they sparkle like tiny winter chandeliers.
They are also wonderfully budget-friendly. Instead of buying a full set of specialty ornaments, you can make a dozen handmade snowball Christmas ornaments in an afternoon with basic craft supplies. Many versions are lightweight, reusable, and safe for artificial trees because they do not weigh down delicate branches. If you use plastic ornament bases or foam balls, they are also less breakable than glass ornaments, which is excellent news for homes with kids, pets, or adults who decorate while balancing coffee and ambition.
Supplies You Will Need
You do not need every supply listed below. Choose the method that matches your style and what you already have in your craft bin. The craft bin, of course, is that mysterious household drawer where googly eyes, old ribbon, and three different glues live in peaceful confusion.
- Foam balls, clear plastic ornaments, or lightweight paper mache balls
- White acrylic paint or craft paint
- Mod Podge, tacky glue, craft glue, or decoupage medium
- Faux snow, Epsom salt, white glitter, iridescent glitter, or mica flakes
- Foam brush or disposable paintbrush
- Ribbon, twine, fishing line, or ornament hooks
- Small eye screws, straight pins, floral wire, or ornament caps
- Clear acrylic sealer or spray sealant
- Wax paper, parchment paper, or a silicone mat for drying
- Optional decorations: mini bells, tags, beads, tiny snowflakes, pom-poms, or letter charms
Best Base Choices for Snowball Ornaments
Foam balls are the easiest option for beginners. They are lightweight, inexpensive, and already round. They work well with faux snow, glitter, Epsom salt, and ribbon hangers.
Clear plastic ornaments are ideal if you want a polished look. You can coat the outside with snow texture or fill the inside with mini snowballs, glitter, or faux snow. Plastic is usually better than glass for kids’ crafts.
Paper mache ornaments create a sturdy handmade look. They absorb paint and glue nicely, but they may need a base coat of white paint before the snowy texture goes on.
Cotton balls are best for preschool or elementary craft projects. They create soft, puffy ornaments and are easy for little hands to handle, although small decorative add-ons should be supervised carefully.
Method 1: Classic Foam-Ball Snowball Christmas Ornaments
This is the most reliable method for making ornaments that look like real snowballs but do not melt onto your presents. Foam-ball snowball ornaments are perfect for Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, place settings, and handmade gift toppers.
Step 1: Paint the Foam Ball
Start by painting the foam ball with white acrylic paint. Foam balls are already white, but paint gives the surface a more finished look and helps disguise the tiny foam dots. Insert a skewer or toothpick into the ball so you can hold it without turning your fingers into frosted marshmallows. Let the paint dry completely.
Step 2: Add the Hanger
For a simple hanger, push a small eye screw into the top of the foam ball. If the foam is soft, add a dot of glue before inserting the screw. You can also bend floral wire into a loop and secure it with glue. For a rustic look, use twine. For a classic Christmas look, use satin ribbon. For a “this tree belongs in a snow queen’s palace” look, use silver cord.
Step 3: Apply Glue or Decoupage Medium
Brush a generous but even layer of Mod Podge, tacky glue, or decoupage medium over the surface. Work in sections so the glue does not dry before the snowy coating sticks. Do not drown the ornament in glue; you want a sticky snowball, not a craft-store dumpling.
Step 4: Roll in Faux Snow or Glitter Mix
Pour faux snow, white glitter, or a blend of faux snow and iridescent glitter into a shallow bowl. Roll the glued ornament gently until it is covered. Press lightly with your fingers to help the texture attach. If you want a chunkier snowball, add a second layer after the first layer dries.
Step 5: Dry and Seal
Place the ornament on wax paper or hang it from a drying rack. Let it dry overnight. Once dry, spray it lightly with clear acrylic sealer to reduce shedding. This step matters, unless your holiday decorating goal is “glitter migration across the entire house.”
Method 2: Epsom Salt and Glitter Snowball Ornaments
Epsom salt creates a beautiful icy texture that looks surprisingly like frozen snow crystals. Mixed with fine white or iridescent glitter, it makes ornaments shimmer under Christmas lights without looking overly flashy.
Step 1: Mix the Snow Coating
In a bowl, combine one cup of Epsom salt with two to four tablespoons of fine white glitter or iridescent glitter. Fine glitter creates a soft sparkle, while chunky glitter creates a bold icy effect. If you want a more natural snow look, use more Epsom salt and less glitter.
Step 2: Coat the Ornament
Brush a foam ball, paper mache ball, or plastic ornament with craft glue or decoupage medium. Sprinkle the Epsom salt mixture over the ornament while rotating it. You can also place the mixture in a paper bag, gently lower the ornament inside, and shake carefully. Think “shake-and-bake,” but with holiday cheer instead of dinner.
Step 3: Patch Thin Spots
After the first pass, look for bald patches. Add a little more glue and sprinkle additional snow coating where needed. A slightly uneven finish is fine because real snowballs are not perfect spheres either. Nature has never once used a ruler.
Step 4: Let It Cure
Allow the ornament to dry for at least 12 hours. Epsom salt ornaments need enough drying time so the crystals stay attached. Once dry, apply a light coat of clear sealer. Avoid soaking the ornament with sealer; a misting coat is better than a heavy spray.
Method 3: Clear Ornament Filled With Mini Snowballs
If you prefer a cleaner craft with less exterior shedding, use clear plastic ornaments and fill them with snowy materials. This style looks modern, elegant, and surprisingly expensive. Nobody needs to know it began life as a bargain ornament and a bag of pom-poms.
Step 1: Remove the Ornament Cap
Take off the metal or plastic cap from a clear ornament. If children are helping, use plastic ornaments to avoid breakage. Place the cap in a small bowl so it does not vanish into the holiday chaos.
Step 2: Add Mini Snowballs
Fill the ornament with white pom-poms, tiny cotton balls, faux snow pellets, or a mixture of faux snow and glitter. Do not overfill it. Leaving some air space lets the contents move, which makes the ornament more playful.
Step 3: Add a Personal Touch
Drop in a tiny paper tag with a family name, a year, a short message, or a phrase like “Let It Snow.” You can also add mini bottle-brush trees, tiny bells, or a small folded note. For a baby’s first Christmas, use a soft ribbon in the nursery color. For a classroom craft, add each child’s name in metallic marker.
Step 4: Secure the Cap
Put the cap back on and add a ribbon hanger. If the ornament will be handled often, add a tiny dot of glue under the cap to keep it secure. Tie a bow at the top for a finished look.
Method 4: Cotton Ball Snowball Ornaments for Kids
This version is soft, simple, and great for young crafters. It is also a good choice for classrooms, Sunday school groups, winter birthday parties, or family craft nights when you want a project that does not require precision.
Step 1: Create the Shape
Cut a circle from cardstock, cardboard, or a paper plate. Punch a hole at the top for the hanger. If you want a 3D ornament, glue cotton balls around a small foam ball instead of using a flat base.
Step 2: Add Cotton Balls
Spread glue over the base and press cotton balls onto it until the surface is full and fluffy. Kids can pull the cotton slightly apart for a softer snow texture. Yes, it will look like a tiny cloud had a dramatic moment. That is part of the charm.
Step 3: Decorate
Add a ribbon bow, paper snowflake, foam sticker, or name tag. Avoid small beads or removable pieces for very young children. If you are crafting with a mixed-age group, prepare larger decorations in advance and keep tiny supplies for older kids only.
Step 4: Dry Flat
Let the ornament dry flat before hanging. Cotton holds moisture from glue, so give it plenty of time. Once dry, thread ribbon through the hole and hang it on the tree.
Design Ideas for Snowball Christmas Ornaments
Farmhouse Snowball Ornaments
Use twine hangers, matte white paint, small kraft paper tags, and a dusting of faux snow. Pair them with wood bead garlands, plaid ribbon, dried orange slices, and pinecones. This look is cozy, simple, and very “I drink cocoa from a mug shaped like a cabin.”
Glam Snowball Ornaments
Use iridescent glitter, silver cord, crystal beads, and satin ribbon. Add a tiny rhinestone snowflake to the top or glue a metallic charm near the hanger. These ornaments look beautiful on white, silver, champagne, or blush Christmas trees.
Kid-Made Keepsake Ornaments
Write the child’s name and year on a small tag, then attach it to the snowball ornament. You can also add a tiny handprint tag or a printed photo inside a clear ornament. These keepsakes become the ornaments people actually look for each year, long after the trendy store-bought ones have retired to the storage bin of forgotten sparkle.
Rustic Woodland Snowballs
Add a small sprig of faux pine, a mini pinecone, or a red berry accent near the top of the ornament. Keep the snow texture matte and natural. This style works well on trees decorated with birds, deer, mushrooms, burlap, and warm white lights.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
The snow coating is falling off. Use more glue, press the texture gently into the surface, and seal the ornament after it dries. If the ornament is already dry, patch thin areas with more glue and snow mixture.
The ornament looks yellow or dull. Start with a white base coat before adding snow texture. Some foam and paper mache balls look slightly cream-colored under glitter, so paint helps create a clean snowy finish.
The glitter is too messy. Mix glitter with faux snow or Epsom salt instead of using it alone. Work over a tray or parchment paper so you can pour excess glitter back into the container.
The hanger pulled out. Add hot glue or strong craft glue around the eye screw or wire loop. For heavier ornaments, use a full ribbon wrap: run ribbon around the ornament like a gift, glue it in place, and create a loop at the top.
The ornament is not round enough. Snowballs are naturally imperfect. If the shape bothers you, add a second layer of faux snow to even it out. If it still looks lumpy, call it “organic winter texture” and move on with confidence.
Safety Tips for Family Crafting
Snowball Christmas ornaments are easy, but holiday crafts should still be planned with safety in mind. Use plastic ornaments instead of glass when crafting with children. Keep small decorations, beads, ornament caps, and loose foam pieces away from toddlers because they can be choking hazards. Avoid ornaments that look too much like candy if very young children may reach them. Let adults handle hot glue guns, spray sealers, sharp scissors, and craft knives. Always use spray products in a well-ventilated area and allow ornaments to dry fully before placing them on the tree.
If you have pets, hang fuzzy or glittery ornaments higher on the tree. Cats may consider dangling snowballs an official invitation to launch a full athletic program. Dogs may assume anything round is a snack or a ball. Neither interpretation is ideal.
How to Store Snowball Ornaments
To keep handmade snowball ornaments looking fresh year after year, wrap each ornament in tissue paper and store them in a divided ornament box. Avoid crushing textured ornaments under heavier decorations. If you used Epsom salt, faux snow, or glitter, keep the ornaments in a dry place because humidity can soften glue and affect the finish. Label the box clearly so you do not accidentally store them with outdoor decorations, tangled lights, or the mysterious extension cord collection every household seems to own.
Experiences From Making Snowball Christmas Ornaments
The first thing you learn when making snowball Christmas ornaments is that “simple craft” does not always mean “tidy craft.” The project is easy, cheerful, and absolutely beginner-friendly, but faux snow and glitter have personalities. Glitter, in particular, behaves like it has a long-term lease on your dining table. The good news is that once you place a tray or sheet of parchment paper under your work area, the mess becomes manageable. The better news is that the finished ornaments look so charming that you forgive the glitter almost immediately.
In my experience, the foam-ball method is the best starting point for beginners. It gives the most predictable results, especially when you paint the foam first and let it dry before adding texture. Skipping the paint seems faster, but the final ornament can look unfinished in bright tree lights. A thin white base coat makes a big difference. It creates a smooth snowy background, helps glue spread more evenly, and makes the faux snow look intentional instead of accidental.
The Epsom salt version feels the most magical. When the crystals catch warm Christmas lights, the ornament has an icy sparkle that looks far more expensive than the supply list suggests. However, it also needs patience. If you touch it too soon, the crystals can shift or fall off. The best approach is to coat the ornament in the evening, set it somewhere safe overnight, and resist the urge to inspect it every ten minutes like it is baking cookies. The next day, a light spray of clear sealer helps lock everything in place.
Clear ornaments filled with mini snowballs are the easiest option for groups. They are quick, low-mess, and easy to personalize. At a family craft night, each person can fill an ornament with pom-poms, faux snow, a handwritten note, or a tiny printed photo. This turns a basic snowball ornament into a memory capsule. Years later, those little names, dates, and notes matter more than the fanciest decorations on the tree.
For kids, cotton ball snowball ornaments are usually the biggest hit. Children enjoy the soft texture and the freedom to press, fluff, and arrange the cotton. The finished ornament may not look like something from a boutique holiday catalog, but that is exactly why it is wonderful. Handmade ornaments should show the hands that made them. A slightly crooked bow or extra-fluffy corner gives the ornament personality.
The biggest lesson is to make more ornaments than you think you need. Snowball ornaments look best in clusters. Three on a tree are cute; twelve create a theme. Add them to wreaths, tie them onto gifts, place them in a decorative bowl, or use them as table setting accents. Once you start making them, the project tends to snowball. Yes, that pun was unavoidable, and honestly, it earned its spot.
Conclusion
Learning how to make snowball Christmas ornaments is a fun way to create holiday decor that feels personal, cozy, and festive without spending a fortune. With foam balls, clear ornaments, Epsom salt, faux snow, cotton balls, glitter, ribbon, and glue, you can design ornaments that match nearly any Christmas style. Choose classic white snowballs for a winter wonderland tree, sparkling Epsom salt ornaments for icy elegance, clear filled ornaments for personalized keepsakes, or cotton ball versions for kid-friendly crafting.
The real beauty of DIY snowball ornaments is that they do not need to be perfect. In fact, their charm comes from texture, softness, and little handmade details. Make a batch, let them dry properly, seal them if needed, store them carefully, and they can return to your Christmas tree year after year like tiny snowballs that politely refuse to melt.